The Rwenzururu Kingdom is mourning the death of its Deputy Minister for Culture and Kingdom Heritage, Native Kahanga Kibaba Lodrick, a respected cultural leader remembered for his dedication to preserving the kingdom’s heritage and traditions. Thousands of mourners gathered at the Kingdom Parliamentary Grounds in Kihalimu, Kasese Municipality, to pay their last respects as kingdom leaders pledged to honour his legacy and support the family he leaves behind. Our reporter has the details.

Thousands of Rwenzururu Kingdom subjects gathered at the Kingdom Parliamentary Grounds in Kihalimu, Central Division, Kasese Municipality, to pay their final respects to the late Deputy Minister for Culture and Kingdom Heritage, Natives Kahanga Kibaba Lodrick.

A condolence message from the Omusinga was delivered by the Kingdom Prime Minister, Kule Baritazara, who described the deceased as a dedicated and knowledgeable leader whose contribution to cultural preservation and kingdom heritage was invaluable.

Baritazara announced that the Omusinga had directed all kingdom flags to fly at half-mast for four days in honour of the late minister. He also revealed that the kingdom would take full responsibility for all official funeral arrangements from the hospital to the burial.

The Speaker of the Kingdom Parliament, Ekyaghanda, Noah Nzaghali, described the deceased as a committed servant of the kingdom. He said Parliament would convene in accordance with kingdom protocol and had resolved that the kingdom oversee all burial arrangements.

Nzaghali added that discussions would later be held on ways to support the deceased’s orphaned children.

The Kingdom Minister for Lands, Muhindo Wilson Mugha, said the kingdom had lost a hardworking colleague who passed away before completing the ongoing kingdom land-mapping program.

He appealed to fellow ministers and well-wishers to support the bereaved family, noting that the late Kahanga leaves behind eleven children. Mugha also pledged to personally support one of the children through primary education.

Speaking on behalf of the family, the deceased’s elder brother, Bwambale Zodoki, said doctors confirmed that Kahanga succumbed to complications related to hepatitis B and ulcers.

He described him as a caring family man and dedicated servant who also served as Director of Royal Rangers Kilembe, an institution that has positively impacted the lives of many young people across Uganda.

The late Natives Kahanga Kibaba Lodrick will be laid to rest today at his ancestral home in Mpunga, as family, friends, and kingdom subjects bid farewell to a leader whose contribution to cultural preservation and community development will long be remembered.